What this bill does
This bill legalizes the unlocking of cell phones by individuals for their use or use by a family member.
It falls short of the complete legalization, however, in the following ways...
o It includes only wireless phones. It does not include other wireless devices such as tablets. Instead, it allows the Library of Congress to determine whether to allow unlocking of those devices (by granting an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)).
o It prohibits unlocking wireless phones or other devices for bulk resale.
o It prohibits unlocking wireless phones or other devices for bulk resale.
Related bills
This is a competing bill with the Unlocking Technology Act (HR-1892).
This bill replaced an identical bill that was passed by the House of Representatives (HR-1123).
More information
You can find more details about this bill at GovTrack.us.